Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1995 with the core value of respect for the unique abilities found in humans and dogs. Using an innovative model in which diverse student populations support professional instructors with the dog training process, ADW has attained a record of stellar client placement success and an assistance dog student training program which builds community, compassion and leadership of the youth and military veteran participants.
To date, ADW has provided highly trained assistance dogs (aka “service dogs”) to more than 300 client recipients ages 5 to 95. Our dogs provide support to children and families challenged by mobility impairments, autism, developmental disabilities, seizure disorders, diabetes, and psychiatric/emotional issues. We also train and place Facility Dogs in criminal justice, mental health, physical health, and occupational therapy settings as well as children’s advocacy centers and with crisis first responders. Professionals teamed with their dogs help clients mediate trauma, respond to mass events, and support independence for those with disabilities and mental health conditions.
Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) builds successful working partnerships between clients and dogs that empower people and open doors to new opportunities. ADW fulfills its mission by:
~Raising and training dogs with kindness and respect to assist children and adults with disabilities.
~Teaching students of all abilities, including elementary, middle and high school, youth with disabilities and veterans of various combats, to help train our dogs. These programs instill confidence, responsibility, communication skills and respect for diversity.
~Educating and advocating for people with visible and invisible disabilities and their right to have service dogs for greater independence in daily living.
~Training facility dogs to work with therapists in a variety of settings; in the Judicial System in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against vulnerable victims; and as Crisis Response Canines on Rapid Deployment Teams responding to mass events.
1590 San Mateo Ln, Santa Fe, NM, 87505